In article ,
D Peter Maus wrote:

In practical terms, today, there are some significant differences.
R-71 is still relatively well supported by ICOM. R-5000...not so much.
Displays are no longer avaiable for R-5000. And both require attention
at this age. R-71 will need ......

Two points missed:

1. The R-71 has it's microprocessor's programing on a battery backed up
RAM chip. When the battery fails, the radio is dead until it is
reprogramed. Someone sold an update kit, I have no idea if they
are still available.

The other question is how much longer will ICOM be able to reprogram
the current chips? One would hope they keep that equipment around
but old computers fail, programs no longer run after operating
system updates etc.

2. The R-5000's had a problem with the rubber potting compound on the PLL
board. A nasty job, the easy way is to unsolder ALL of the components,
scrape out the left over compound and install new components.

As the components become hard to replace, a repair will be to use a
tweezer and dental pick to remove all the compound by hand, hoping that
you do not damage anything and nothing was corroded to the point of
being unuseable.

I did it that way, and if it was not for the fact that the cost of
shipping each way to a competent repair person was more than the
cost of them repairing it, I would not have.

Geoff.


--
Geoffrey S. Mendelson, Jerusalem, Israel N3OWJ/4X1GM
IL Voice: (07)-7424-1667 IL Fax: 972-2-648-1443 U.S. Voice: 1-215-821-1838
You should have boycotted Google while you could, now Google supported
BPL is in action. Time is running out on worldwide radio communication.

Geoffrey S. Mendelson wrote:
In article ,
D Peter Maus wrote:

In practical terms, today, there are some significant differences.
R-71 is still relatively well supported by ICOM. R-5000...not so much.
Displays are no longer avaiable for R-5000. And both require attention
at this age. R-71 will need ......

Two points missed:

1. The R-71 has it's microprocessor's programing on a battery backed up
RAM chip. When the battery fails, the radio is dead until it is
reprogramed. Someone sold an update kit, I have no idea if they
are still available.



This comes up every time R-71 is mentioned. I had mine for more
than 10 years, and it was used when I bought it. Still had the original
battery when I sold it. And the guy that bought it reports that it's
still working. I spoke to Bellevue about this, and the head tech there
said he's never replaced a battery that was not working. A lot of users
have them replaced because they're nervous about it. Others have them
replaced while in for other work. But he's never replaced a battery
because it was dead. The worst he's seen is replacemnt jobs that were
botched by users, and had to be reprogrammed. This conversation took
place a couple of years ago, so I don't know if his claim has changed.
The point is that this issue can be more or less a non issue depending
on users' diligence.



The other question is how much longer will ICOM be able to reprogram
the current chips? One would hope they keep that equipment around
but old computers fail, programs no longer run after operating
system updates etc.


Also a non issue. As long as they support the radio, they will be
reprogramming RAM. But it does afford the opportunity to mention the
number of amateur users who have learned to reprogram this radio, and
who can offer their help. Do a web search. Or they show up in RRS, from
time to time.

The Willco board is still available, though the numbers are
limited, as the chips used are no longer available.



2. The R-5000's had a problem with the rubber potting compound on the PLL
board. A nasty job, the easy way is to unsolder ALL of the components,
scrape out the left over compound and install new components.

As the components become hard to replace, a repair will be to use a
tweezer and dental pick to remove all the compound by hand, hoping that
you do not damage anything and nothing was corroded to the point of
being unuseable.

I did it that way, and if it was not for the fact that the cost of
shipping each way to a competent repair person was more than the
cost of them repairing it, I would not have.

Geoff.



That's quite a visual

"D Peter Maus" wrote in message
...
Geoffrey S. Mendelson wrote:
In article , D
Peter Maus wrote:

In practical terms, today, there are some significant differences.
R-71 is still relatively well supported by ICOM. R-5000...not so much.
Displays are no longer avaiable for R-5000. And both require attention
at this age. R-71 will need ......

Two points missed:

1. The R-71 has it's microprocessor's programing on a battery backed up
RAM chip. When the battery fails, the radio is dead until it is
reprogramed. Someone sold an update kit, I have no idea if they
are still available.



This comes up every time R-71 is mentioned. I had mine for more than
10 years, and it was used when I bought it. Still had the original battery
when I sold it. And the guy that bought it reports that it's still
working. I spoke to Bellevue about this, and the head tech there said he's
never replaced a battery that was not working. A lot of users have them
replaced because they're nervous about it. Others have them replaced while
in for other work. But he's never replaced a battery because it was dead.
The worst he's seen is replacemnt jobs that were botched by users, and had
to be reprogrammed. This conversation took place a couple of years ago, so
I don't know if his claim has changed. The point is that this issue can be
more or less a non issue depending on users' diligence.



The other question is how much longer will ICOM be able to reprogram
the current chips? One would hope they keep that equipment around
but old computers fail, programs no longer run after operating
system updates etc.


Also a non issue. As long as they support the radio, they will be
reprogramming RAM. But it does afford the opportunity to mention the
number of amateur users who have learned to reprogram this radio, and who
can offer their help. Do a web search. Or they show up in RRS, from time
to time.

The Willco board is still available, though the numbers are limited,
as the chips used are no longer available.



2. The R-5000's had a problem with the rubber potting compound on the PLL
board. A nasty job, the easy way is to unsolder ALL of the components,
scrape out the left over compound and install new components. As the
components become hard to replace, a repair will be to use a
tweezer and dental pick to remove all the compound by hand, hoping
that
you do not damage anything and nothing was corroded to the point of
being unuseable.

I did it that way, and if it was not for the fact that the cost of
shipping each way to a competent repair person was more than the
cost of them repairing it, I would not have. Geoff.



That's quite a visual



I never had a problem with my R-71 either. I think your right Pete. It's a
rare occurance if it happens at all. The funny thing is I had my 71 in a box
for three years and it still worked. Go figure?

--

Regards
B.H.

Brian's Basement
http://webpages.charter.net/brianhill/6.htm

Brian's Radio Universe
http://webpages.charter.net/brianhill/500.htm

Question please,just what is key bounce?
cuhulin

For keyboards, Key bounce occurs when a key is typed and two characters
appear.

For Morse code keys -- an extra dit or dah occurs

--
CL -- I doubt, therefore I might be !






wrote in message
...
Question please,just what is key bounce?
cuhulin

What causes Key Bounce as related to radios? Is that a common problem
that happens often and does that mean a new keyboard is necessary to
repair the radio(s)? Most computer keyboards work ok for many years,my
battery powered computer and webtv keyboards are still workng
flawlessly.I can't see why keyboards on radios should be any problems.I
don't own any radios with keyboards,my radios are the good old fashioned
knob twirler kinds of radios.
cuhulin